Wellness

If you still think of yourself as the kid who shuffled around the track with your friends during gym class, a high energy cardio workout is probably not high on your To-do list. On the other hand, you know how important it is to get the blood pumping when you can. “Move it or lose it,” as they say.

But did you also know that aerobic exercise is equally as good for your mind as it is for your body? For many of our members, the mental magic is the motivating factor that keeps them coming back to Body Machine Fitness. Well that, and the sneaky science we use called “brain entrainment.”

Body Machine Fitness is the only gym in the world that uses neuroscience to hack the brain to crave—not just endure—exercise. We think that’s pretty magical, and you will too.

Closer To a Real ‘High’ Than You Might Think

It’s a common misconception that endorphin hormones produce the “runner’s high” effect experienced after cardio exercise. It’s unlikely that this euphoric state can be attributed to endorphins, according to one Johns Hopkins School of Medicine source, because endorphins don’t cross the blood-brain barrier.

A strong theory is that this euphoria is generated by endocannabinoids, biochemical substances the body naturally produces that are remarkably similar to cannabis and act on the same body system. “Runner’s high” turns out to be a spot-on name for cardio’s mental health perks.

So Powerful It Literally Grows Your Brain

In one University of British Columbia study, researchers found regular aerobic exercise increased the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that handles verbal memory and learning. Other studies have shown that people who exercise have more developed prefrontal and medial temporal cortices, which process thinking and memory.

“Even more exciting is the finding that engaging in a program of regular exercise of moderate intensity over six months or a year is associated with an increase in the volume of selected brain regions,” Dr. Scott McGinnis, a neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told the Harvard Medical School health blog. He added that any activity that gets blood pumping has these health benefits.

In May of 2022, the Journal of Sport and Health Science reviewed the immediate effect of high-intensity exercise a molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps repair brain cells and make new brain cells, which is linked to neuroplasticity and neural connectivity. It starts after your very first class and keeps working for you long after your post-workout shower. In this way, cardio is like stretching for your brain, making it more flexible.

Strongest When Repeated

The secret to getting the most out of cardio is consistency–and lucky for BMF members, the keys to consistency are built into every workout. The intentionally designed music and light show that accompanies our HITT sessions stimulates the brain’s pleasure pathways, so staying consistent goes from a challenge to something as natural as breathing.

Breathing during cardio exercise is essentially like doing weight reps for your heart and vascular system, and the more you perform, the more you get out of it. Just getting to an exercise class can sometimes be one of the biggest barriers to developing a fitness routine. BMF’s community-oriented classes are variable and lively because getting to your workout should be a pleasure, not a chore.

Experience The Magic with Us

BMF is a gym like no other you’ve been to before! We invite you to attend your first group fitness classes in Plano or group fitness classes in Ft. Worth absolutely free, so you can see what it means to pair brain science with a full-body workout.

Picture this: You walk into a group fitness class, the room is saturated in a soft red glow, and the unmistakable thump of a pulsating beat fills the air. You’re not entering a nightclub; you’re embarking on a fitness journey that’s about to redefine your idea of working out.

At Body Machine Fitness, we’re not just a gym; we’re an immersive fitness experience. From the moment you step into the studio, you’re transported into a world where music and lights take center stage.

But why are these elements so crucial?

Let’s delve into why music and lights are so important at BMF and the world of group fitness classes.

Music and fitness have always shared a deep connection. At Body Machine Fitness, this connection is taken to the next level. The carefully curated playlists we create are more than just background noise; they’re the heartbeat of your workout!

The high energy workout music syncs with your movements, setting the pace and driving your energy levels. Fast-tempo tracks push you to conquer that last rep, while mellower tunes guide you through cool-downs and stretches.

The result? An exhilarating workout that feels less like a chore and more like dancing to infectious, mind-altering music.

Beyond the beat, music taps into the emotional core of your workout. It’s the motivational coach in your ear, urging you to push harder, go faster, and reach higher. It transforms your mindset, turning doubts into determination.

Whether you’re jumping, lifting, or planking, the right song can be the catalyst that propels you past your limits.

At BMF, music is more than just background; it’s the driving force behind your achievements.

Boost Performance and Focus

Our lights aren’t just thrilling to look at; they’re synchronized to get the best physical performance out of you. Think of your eyes like little brains outside of your skull. As they absorb the sensory input from the lights and your ears fill with music, you’re pushed into a high-beta brainwave state. Ever heard of fight or flight? The lights are a tool to control the Body Machine Fitness experience so your body stays primed to fight through the workout without running off the rails into flight mode.

Create Community and Connection

By merging movement, music, and light, Body Machine Fitness classes give way to a group collective nervous system, also called CNS. This shared experience makes you feel powerfully connected to your community and releases hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin to ensure you give your best for yourself and your fellow workout warriors.

Music and lights at BMF aren’t mere accessories; they’re indispensable tools in your physical and mental health journey.

By tapping into our brain’s reward centers, evoking positive emotions, and creating an immersive ambiance, this sensory combination makes working out not only beneficial for our bodies but also a source of genuine pleasure for our minds.

So, the next time you step into our studios, remember that the music and lights aren’t just there to accompany you—they’re there to elevate you! Come see for yourself and book a free class now in Ft. Worth or Plano.